Navigating NAFEM

NAFEM Overview

Founded in 1948, NAFEM is a trade association of 500+ commercial foodservice equipment and supplies (E&S) manufacturers – a $17 billion industry*. These businesses, their employees and the products they manufacture, support the food away from home market – which includes more than one million locations in the U.S. and countless more around the world.

*NAFEM 2024 Size & Shape of the Industry Study

Who NAFEM serves

NAFEM represents a vibrant mix of small, medium and large privately owned and publicly traded manufacturing companies. NAFEM members supply the following foodservice industry segments:

Types of equipment NAFEM members manufacture

NAFEM member companies by sales volume*

* Includes all North American companies, but does not include affiliate & associate member companies.

Advocacy

NAFEM’s advocacy efforts focus on legislative and regulatory actions impacting equipment and supplies manufacturing and the foodservice industry at large, including, but not limited to:

Education & Certification

NAFEM Learning Center

NAFEM’s online hub for personal and professional continuing education opportunities features a variety of general business courses and NAFEM-produced content.

Annual Meeting & Management Workshop

Every two years, NAFEM brings its executive-level members together for 2.5 days of education and networking. Hear from industry leaders and influential speakers while taking advantage of the opportunity to forge relationships with other NAFEM members.

Certified Foodservice Professional (CFSP)

Established in 1987, the CFSP credential remains the most important industry certification for foodservice equipment & supplies professionals. NAFEM’s certification program helps raise the standards and quality of the industry by offering continuing development opportunities. Earning the designation demonstrates comprehensive knowledge across all areas of the industry.

Research

NAFEM conducts a wide variety of research studies, including:

NAFEM also provides members with access to monthly economic reports from ITR Economics.

Social Purpose

Since 2020, NAFEM and its members have been committed to fighting hunger in communities across the U.S. by supporting the Feeding America network of food banks and other hunger related organizations. Feeding America is the largest hunger-relief organization in the U.S. and its network serves countless communities. NAFEM matches member donations of food, funds and time, thus doubling the impact to local Feeding America food banks.

Industry Relations

NAFEM collaborates with the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) to keep members informed on worldwide food and flavor trends, and the emerging professionals creating the menus of tomorrow.

Communications

Everyone in NAFEM’s member database receives regular e-newsletters and invitations to webinars including:

• NAFEM 5 to Know, distributed every Monday
• What’s New From NAFEM, featuring Advocacy Update, distributed the second Thursday of each month
• Wednesday Webcast, including Advocacy content, held the second Wednesday of each month

Engagement

NAFEM’s greatest strength has always been its volunteers. A variety of ways to get involved are available to NAFEM members.

Committees/Working Groups

Serving on a committee or working group offers members the opportunity to influence critical areas of the industry, including professional development, global markets, industry relations, and legislative, regulatory and technical issues. Committee descriptions and a sign-up form are available for you to choose where you’ll participate.

Rosters & Member Roles

Your NAFEM membership is a company membership. All employees may take advantage of everything NAFEM offers. All that’s needed is an email, and once added, each employee can set up a login/password for member access. Keep your NAFEM member company roster updated so everyone receives the information they need in their particular role.

Each company must have a designated primary contact (your company’s voting representative and the individual that receives yearly renewal info) and a trade show contact (the individual that has access to the contract and exhibitor resources for The NAFEM Show). Other roles that can be added include a Service Contact, Export Contact, Human Resources Contact and Regulatory Affairs Contact.   

Priority Points

The more you participate in NAFEM activities, the more priority points your company earns! Priority point totals determine the order in which you select exhibit space in The NAFEM Show. NAFEM Active and Affiliate members can earn priority points, along with Associate members who manufacture food-safety products.  Point-earning opportunities are different each year. Check out the continually updated list of opportunities, annual tally of all member points, and an FAQ document about how points are earned.